Why a Race Riot Erupted 100 Years Ago in Atlanta

“On a warm and sultry Saturday, on Sept. 22, 1906, thousands of whites in Atlanta joined together in the downtown area and began attacking and killing blacks in the city. The violence continued for four days. By the official count, 12 blacks and two whites were killed. Although many historians say dozens were murdered, the 1906 race riot has not been commemorated or taught in schools until now.”

“As the chaos continued, barber shops and other black businesses were attacked, along with street cars. Both races used street cars for transportation — whites sitting in the front and blacks in the rear. Black men and women were pulled off street cars, beaten and killed.”

–Kathy Lohr

Learn the history of the Century-old Race Riots in Atlanta by visiting NPR Books here.